Background and Context Psalm 91 is one of the most beloved and powerful psalms of trust and protection in the entire Psalter. It is an anonymous psalm, not tied to any specific historical event, which gives it a timeless and universal quality. It is a confident and triumphant declaration of the security, safety, and comprehensive […]

Background and Context Psalm 90 is the first psalm in Book Four of the Psalter and is the only psalm in the entire collection attributed to Moses, the man of God. This attribution is profound, as it places the psalm in the context of the wilderness wanderings. It is the prayer of a leader who

Background and Context Psalm 89 is a powerful and poignant national lament, written by “Ethan the Ezrahite,” who is mentioned in 1 Kings 4:31 as one of the wisest men of his time, a contemporary of Solomon. This psalm is the final one in Book Three of the Psalter and it grapples with one of

Background and Context Psalm 88 is the darkest and most sorrowful psalm in the entire Psalter. It is a raw, unrelenting lament from a man named Heman the Ezrahite, one of the three chief Levitical musicians appointed by King David. Heman was a respected sage and worship leader, which makes the content of his prayer

Background and Context Psalm 87 is a short but breathtakingly beautiful “Song of Zion,” written by the Sons of Korah, the guild of temple musicians. This psalm is one of the most remarkable missionary and prophetic psalms in the Old Testament. It looks forward with stunning clarity to a day when the city of God,

Background and Context Psalm 86 is titled “A prayer of David.” It is a beautiful and deeply personal lament, an individual’s cry for help in a time of distress. While many psalms are a patchwork of human emotions, this one feels like a patchwork of Scripture itself. The psalmist (David) weaves together phrases, ideas, and

Background and Context Psalm 85 is a community prayer from the “Sons of Korah,” written by a people who have experienced a great deliverance but are still waiting for the fullness of God’s blessing. The language of the psalm, particularly the opening line, “You, LORD, showed favor to your land; you restored the fortunes of

Background and Context Psalm 84 is a beautiful and deeply loved Song of Zion, written by the “Sons of Korah.” The Sons of Korah were a guild of Levites who served as musicians and doorkeepers in the Jerusalem Temple. This background is essential for understanding the psalm. The author is not a distant admirer of

Background and Context Psalm 83 is the final psalm in the collection of Asaph. It is a desperate national lament and a fierce imprecatory prayer, a cry to God from a nation facing an existential threat. The psalmist reports that a massive coalition of ten surrounding nations has formed a confederacy with a single, terrifying

Background and Context Psalm 82 is a dramatic and powerful psalm of Asaph that unfolds like a scene from a divine courtroom. It is a prophetic lawsuit in which God Himself stands up as both prosecutor and judge to confront a group of corrupt authorities. The central interpretive question in this psalm is the identity